Carib Scope

分类： environment

  • CYEN Grenada calls on youth to recognise, respect, and restore land

    CYEN Grenada calls on youth to recognise, respect, and restore land

    On June 17, the Grenada Chapter of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) joined the global movement to mark the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, centering its local campaign around this year’s global theme: *Rangelands: Recognise. Respect. Restore.*

    This annual observance urges communities worldwide to acknowledge the critical ecological and economic value of rangelands, honor the generations of traditional knowledge held by pastoralists and local farming communities that steward these landscapes, and actively reverse degradation through targeted sustainable land management practices.

    For the tri-island nation of Grenada, which includes Carriacou and Petite Martinique, pasturelands and grazing areas form the backbone of local livestock and small ruminant agriculture—an economic and cultural pillar of rural communities that underpins national food security. Despite this importance, these vital lands face growing threats from unsustainable land clearing practices, overgrazing, widespread deforestation, accelerating soil erosion, and increasingly prolonged dry spells driven by shifting climate patterns.

    “Rangelands may not be the first landscape people associate with our small island nation, but the core message of this year’s theme resonates across every corner of Grenada,” explained Jevaire Baptiste, Secretary of CYEN Grenada Chapter. “When we choose to recognize the value of our land, respect the people who care for it, and commit to restoring what has been damaged, we build a more secure future for all of us.”

    To turn this message into tangible action, CYEN Grenada has launched a youth-focused campaign calling on young people across all three islands to engage with the three pillars of the theme in their daily lives:
    – **Recognise**: Acknowledge the fundamental role that local pastures, grazing areas, and farmlands play in upholding food security, protecting native biodiversity, and sustaining rural livelihoods.
    – **Respect**: Honor the hands-on knowledge and generations of experience held by livestock keepers, crop farmers, and rural communities that manage these lands year-round.
    – **Restore**: Implement practical local actions including planting and nurturing native trees in community spaces, avoiding full land clearing for agriculture, development, or grazing that leaves soil exposed, maintaining natural ground cover, native grasses, and selected trees to protect topsoil, reduce erosion, lock in moisture, and preserve soil fertility, backing sustainable farming and grazing systems such as rotational grazing, mulching, contour farming, cover cropping, rainwater harvesting, and agroforestry, practicing water conservation and responsible water use, especially on agricultural lands, protecting interconnected ecosystems including forests, wetlands, watersheds, and coastal habitats that support healthy land systems, cutting down on pollution and ensuring proper disposal of both agricultural and household waste, and participating in local environmental volunteer initiatives and community-led land restoration projects.

    As a Small Island Developing State, Grenada is disproportionately vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change, from prolonged droughts and extreme rainfall to severe flooding, destructive landslides, and accelerating coastal degradation—all of which compound existing pressure on the nation’s grazing lands and pastures. Restoring and sustainably managing these landscapes delivers far-reaching benefits: it strengthens national food security, supports working livestock and crop farmers, creates new entrepreneurship opportunities in sustainable agriculture and agroforestry, boosts overall climate resilience, and protects native biodiversity.

    Across every sector—from sustainable farming and conservation to agribusiness and community land stewardship—young people hold unique power to drive meaningful change and build a more resilient, food-secure future for the tri-island nation. On this year’s World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, CYEN Grenada is amplifying a clear call to action for all citizens, and especially young people, to embrace the mission of recognize, respect, restore for the lands that sustain all Grenadians. By protecting the nation’s pasturelands and grazing areas today, the country can safeguard food supplies, livelihoods, and opportunity for generations to come.

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  • Punta Bergantín develops native species nursery to support sustainable tourism and conservation

    Punta Bergantín develops native species nursery to support sustainable tourism and conservation

    On Puerto Plata’s scenic North Coast, a landmark sustainable tourism initiative is turning conservation commitments into tangible action: the Punta Bergantín tourism development project has launched a specialized plant nursery focused on cultivating native and endemic plant species, a core step forward in its ambitious environmental sustainability strategy. The project’s ultimate goals are to safeguard regional biodiversity and repair damaged natural ecosystems along the coast, setting a new benchmark for responsible tourism development in the Caribbean.

    This conservation collaboration brings together three key stakeholders: the Punta Bergantín project leadership, the Puerto Plata Provincial Directorate of Environment, and the Santiago Botanical Garden, combining technical expertise, regulatory support, and on-the-ground execution to deliver meaningful ecological impact. So far, the partnership has already integrated 355 individual specimens of at-risk native plant species into the nursery’s conservation program, and completed the planting of 1,260 native tree specimens across the project’s development area. These initial actions lay a strong foundation for scaled-up ecological restoration and long-term biodiversity conservation across the region.

    Leonela Vólquez, who leads community engagement, sustainability, and research efforts for the Punta Bergantín project, framed the new nursery as far more than a temporary conservation gesture—she describes it as a strategic, long-term investment that ties environmental protection directly to the future of the region’s tourism sector. Beyond propagating rare plants, the facility will drive landscape regeneration across degraded coastal areas, create a protected refuge for vulnerable plant species at risk of extinction, offer hands-on environmental education opportunities for local communities and visitors, and strengthen the North Coast’s reputation as a premier nature-focused travel destination.

    Vólquez emphasized that the nursery is fully aligned with the project’s core guiding principle: that tourism growth must go hand-in-hand with measurable, concrete action to conserve and restore natural resources, rather than prioritizing development over ecological health. The facility will serve as the primary production hub for native and endemic plant species needed for the project’s ongoing restoration work, while supporting a broader tourism model that is more climate-resilient, environmentally accountable, and deeply rooted in the region’s unique natural landscape.

    In its first full year of operation, the nursery will specifically provide safe haven for 11 plant species classified by conservation experts as either endangered or critically endangered, filling a critical gap in regional plant conservation efforts. The nursery is not an add-on to the Punta Bergantín project—it is a central, required component of the development’s official Environmental Management Plan, as well as its Tree Transplanting, Compensation, and Reforestation Program, two frameworks that structure and regulate all of the project’s sustainability and environmental protection work moving forward.

  • Illegal sand quarries : Strong operation by the Ministry (video)

    Illegal sand quarries : Strong operation by the Ministry (video)

    In a decisive step to curb rampant overexploitation of natural resources and safeguard ecologically fragile ecosystems surrounding Haiti’s capital, Environment Minister Valéry Fils-Aimé officially launched the second phase of government intervention targeting illegal sand quarries on June 16, 2026. The launch event took place at Laboule 12, covering four high-risk upland areas: Pèlerin, Laboule, Boutillier, and Kenscoff, all located in the hills overlooking Port-au-Prince.

    The minister was joined at the event by a cross-agency delegation of regional and national stakeholders, including the West Department’s delegate and deputy delegate, the Director General of the National Agency for Protected Areas (ANAP), the Mayor of Kenscoff, deputy mayors of Pétion-Ville, the Pétion-Ville Police Commissioner, local Community Action Committee (CASEC) leaders, the West Departmental Director of the Environment, the Director of Environmental Inspection and Surveillance (DISE), and senior officials from the National Bureau of Environmental Evaluation (BNÉE).

    During the event, Minister Fils-Aimé reinforced the Haitian government’s unwavering commitment to ending unregulated sand extraction, a practice that has been linked to accelerated degradation of critical watersheds, increased risk of catastrophic natural disasters, and eroded livelihood stability for local communities in impacted zones.

    Three core policy measures were announced as part of the new intervention phase. First, an immediate 30-day temporary ban on sand transport truck access to all four target areas took effect June 16. The temporary restriction is designed to halt further damage to these ecologically sensitive landscapes and give technical experts time to conduct full on-site assessments. To ensure compliance, a multi-agency monitoring checkpoint will be permanently staffed at the entrance to Laboule 12, with ANAP’s Bureau of Protected Areas, DISE, and the West Departmental Environment Directorate leading operations, backed by the Haitian National Police (PNH), local municipal governments, community leaders, and the West Departmental Delegation.

    Second, the Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME) has been tasked with completing a comprehensive national mapping of all active sand extraction sites. The mapping effort will document the exact location of each site, the scale of ongoing extraction activities, and whether each operation meets the requirements of Haiti’s existing environmental and mining regulations.

    Third, the BNÉE will conduct a full environmental and social impact assessment of all quarrying activities documented in the target region. Once the technical assessment is complete, the Ministry of the Environment will issue final rulings, which may include permanent closure for any sites found to pose significant risks to the natural environment, public safety, or broader national public interest.

    Unregulated illegal sand quarrying has been a longstanding environmental challenge in Haiti’s West Department, with prior government data showing as much as 89 percent of all quarries in the region operating without valid permits. Years of unregulated extraction in the uplands above Port-au-Prince have destabilized hillsides and damaged watersheds, increasing the country’s already high vulnerability to flooding and landslides during hurricane and rainy seasons. In closing, ministry officials emphasized that protecting the nation’s mountain ecosystems, critical watersheds, and natural resources is a non-negotiable national priority, and the Haitian state will fully uphold its responsibility to preserve this strategic heritage and reduce the country’s exposure to avoidable natural hazards.

  • Project launched to strengthen protection of Morne Diablotin National Park

    Project launched to strengthen protection of Morne Diablotin National Park

    The Commonwealth of Dominica has kicked off a landmark conservation initiative to strengthen the long-term protection and sustainable management of Morne Diablotin National Park, a crown jewel of the Caribbean island nation’s rich natural heritage, government officials have confirmed.

    The project, outlined in an official statement from the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment, centers on two core priorities: formally demarcating the national park’s exact boundaries and establishing a structured buffer zone around the protected area. This dual approach is designed to safeguard the park’s irreplaceable natural resources while creating space for inclusive, sustainable development for neighboring communities.

    Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented via a partnership between the World Bank and the Dominican government, the work falls under the broader Leveraging Eco-Tourism for Biodiversity Protection in Dominica (LETBP) Project, a national program that ties conservation goals to inclusive economic growth through nature-based tourism. After a rigorous competitive bidding process, Environment Direct Consulting Inc., a Dominican-owned environmental and geospatial firm, was selected to lead the project delivery. Headed by Dr. Camille David, the firm brings over 20 years of specialized experience across the Caribbean in environmental science, biodiversity conservation, geographic information systems (GIS), protected area management, land-use planning, and multi-stakeholder engagement.

    Morne Diablotin National Park is far more than a protected green space for Dominica: it is a critical ecological anchor for the entire island. The park is home to numerous endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth, preserves vital island watersheds that supply clean water to local communities, and supports a wide range of ecosystem services that underpin both local livelihoods and the national economy. The new buffer zone project has been in the making for years, with the concept first introduced in the official Morne Diablotin National Park Management Plan. The buffer will act as a controlled transition area between the strictly protected core forest and adjacent developed lands used by local communities.

    Ministry officials explain that well-designed buffer zones address two key challenges at once: they reduce human-caused pressures on the protected core park area, while also opening up opportunities for nearby residents to build sustainable, environmentally compatible livelihoods that do not harm the park’s ecology. Over the course of the consultancy, the project team will conduct extensive, inclusive consultations with a full range of stakeholders, including local landowners, community residents, relevant government agencies, and Indigenous and local interest groups. Key topics for discussion will include negotiating mutually acceptable buffer zone boundaries, resolving longstanding land ownership and tenure questions, and co-developing solutions that strike a fair balance between national conservation targets and the practical needs and interests of communities living near the park.

    Honourable Cozier Frederick, Minister for Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment, praised the launch of the initiative and underscored its central role in securing Dominica’s environmental future. “As Dominica continues to position itself as a global leader in climate resilience and environmental stewardship, the protection of our protected areas remains a national priority,” Frederick said. “This initiative represents an important investment in the future of Morne Diablotin National Park, ensuring that its forests, wildlife, watersheds, and ecological values are preserved while fostering sustainable opportunities for surrounding communities. Together, we are strengthening the foundation of a greener, more resilient Dominica.”

    The Ministry has urged all relevant stakeholders to take an active part in the upcoming consultation process, noting that open collaboration across all groups will be the single most important factor in delivering a successful, equitable project that benefits both conservation and local communities for generations to come.

  • DNCTF awards over US$100,000 to support biodiversity and ecosystem protection projects

    DNCTF awards over US$100,000 to support biodiversity and ecosystem protection projects

    On June 12, 2026, the Dominica National Conservation Trust Fund (DNCTF) awarded $103,000 in targeted grants to two local environmental initiatives during its second annual Grant Award Ceremony, backed by a regional Caribbean biodiversity protection framework. The funding, disbursed through the Caribbean Regional Architecture for Biodiversity (CRAB) Pro-Nature Grant Facility, breaks down into $93,000 in direct project funding and an extra $10,000 earmarked for specialized technical support and institutional capacity-building across awardees.

    The technical assistance portion of the grant program is designed to build grantee capabilities in high-priority operational areas, including transparent financial reporting, systematic project monitoring and evaluation, adherence to rigorous environmental and social safeguards, and intentional integration of gender equality and social inclusion into conservation work. The entire CRAB initiative receives strategic backing from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), which channel support through the regional Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF).

    One of the two selected projects is led by Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy. Titled “Rapid Response to Lethal Yellowing Disease: Protecting Coastal Ecosystems and Restoring Biodiversity,” the initiative targets a devastating pathogen that has been spreading through Dominica’s coconut palm populations—an iconic species that underpins both coastal ecosystem stability and local smallholder livelihoods. Project activities will include expanded disease surveillance across at-risk coastal areas, targeted control of the insect vectors that spread the pathogen, widespread public outreach to educate communities on disease prevention, and systematic management of already infected trees to stop further spread.

    The second grant recipient is local marine conservation non-profit Oceans Forward Dominica, which will partner with management of the Soufriere-Scott’s Head Marine Reserve (SSMR) to upgrade marine biodiversity protection at one of Dominica’s most ecologically significant coastal protected areas. The project, “Enhancing Biodiversity Protection in the Soufriere-Scott’s Head Marine Reserve through Coral Restoration and Improved Monitoring, Surveillance and Compliance,” will combine active coral reef restoration work with upgrades to the reserve’s long-term management capacity, including more robust biodiversity monitoring, expanded patrols to prevent illegal activity, and stronger enforcement of reserve protection rules.

    Speaking at the official grant award ceremony, Permanent Secretary Ryan Anselm noted that the ministry’s coconut disease response project aligns with national priorities that tie environmental protection to economic resilience. “Protecting our coconut resources isn’t just about preserving trees—it’s about protecting the coastal ecosystems that buffer our communities from storms, the biodiversity that makes our island unique, and the livelihoods that depend on both,” Anselm explained. He also emphasized the critical cross-cutting value of healthy coral reefs, which reduce coastal erosion and storm damage while supporting productive fisheries and the sustainable tourism that forms a core pillar of Dominica’s economy.

    DNCTF Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rhonda Linton framed the new grants as far more than one-off project funding, calling them a long-term investment in Dominica’s environmental and economic future. “This funding represents a deliberate commitment to protecting and restoring the ecosystems that sustain our communities, boost our ability to withstand climate impacts, and preserve the one-of-a-kind biodiversity that makes Dominica such a special place,” Dr. Linton said. Closing with a call for collective action on environmental stewardship, she added, “If we do not protect our planet, there will be no planet left to protect.”

    The awards reflect a growing coordinated effort between local, regional, and international partners to safeguard Dominica’s extraordinary natural heritage, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the island’s ecosystems remain healthy, resilient, and productive for generations to come.

  • Environmental Awareness Group Announces New Leadership Appointments

    Environmental Awareness Group Announces New Leadership Appointments

    The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), a leading non-profit focused on conservation work across the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, has revealed two high-impact leadership appointments that are set to steer the organization’s expanding mission and amplify its conservation outcomes in the region.

    The first appointment elevates long-time EAG team member Monifa Thomas to the position of Executive Director. Thomas first joined the EAG’s ranks in 2020, spending three years serving as the organization’s Accountant. Over her tenure, she has built comprehensive, hands-on knowledge of every operational area of the EAG, and played an integral role in stabilizing the group’s daily operations and laying the groundwork for its long-term organizational sustainability.

    Jermaine Jarvis, President of the EAG Board of Directors, emphasized that Thomas’s intimate familiarity with the organization’s core culture, mission and strategic goals, paired with her proven organizational acumen and natural leadership abilities, make her uniquely equipped to guide the EAG into its next phase of growth. “Monifa’s internal experience and strategic focus make her the ideal person to lead the EAG forward,” Jarvis noted. “Her unwavering commitment to the organization and deep understanding of our work will help strengthen our impact and ensure continued growth in environmental conservation and community engagement across the islands.”

    In response to her appointment, Thomas expressed humility and excitement for the work ahead. “I am honoured to serve as Executive Director of the Environmental Awareness Group,” she said. “Having worked within the organization for a few years, I deeply value the work we do and the difference we continue to make throughout Antigua and Barbuda and beyond. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff, partners, and communities as we continue advancing environmental protection and sustainability initiatives.”

    The EAG also took the opportunity to publicly recognize the contributions of former Executive Director Dr. Mareba Scott, extending sincere gratitude for her years of service and leadership, and wishing her success in all upcoming professional and personal endeavours.

    Alongside Thomas’s promotion, the EAG also announced that Joshel Wilson will step into the new role of Antigua Marine Conservation Programme Coordinator. Like Thomas, Wilson is a long-time internal team member, previously holding the position of Wildlife Officer with the organization. In that role, he made major contributions to a wide range of conservation projects and led critical on-the-ground field operations across the islands.

    In his new position, Wilson will take charge of coordinating and rolling out targeted marine conservation programs designed to protect the rich marine biodiversity and fragile coastal ecosystems of Antigua and Barbuda. His responsibilities will also include expanding environmental education programming for local communities and growing public participation in grassroots conservation efforts across the island.

    The appointment of Wilson, another internal promotion, reflects the EAG’s board’s strong confidence in his existing experience, proven dedication, and consistent professional growth during his time with the organization. “Joshel has consistently demonstrated commitment and passion in his work as Wildlife Officer,” Jarvis explained. “This appointment represents a natural progression in his career, and we are excited to see him take on this expanded leadership role within the organization.”

    Wilson shared his gratitude for the new opportunity and his enthusiasm for the work ahead. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue growing within the Environmental Awareness Group,” he said. “Serving as Wildlife Officer gave me valuable experience in conservation work and community engagement, and I look forward to building on that foundation as Antigua Marine Conservation Programme Coordinator. I am excited to contribute even further to the protection and sustainable management of our marine environment.”

    Moving forward, the EAG remains firmly committed to advancing its core mission areas: biodiversity conservation, public environmental education, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development across Antigua and Barbuda. For additional information about the organization and its ongoing programming, visit the EAG’s official website at https://eagantigua.net.

  • Jamaican iguana population projected to exceed 3,000 within a decade-Samuda

    Jamaican iguana population projected to exceed 3,000 within a decade-Samuda

    TRELAWNY, Jamaica — At last week’s Rotaract District 7020 Conference hosted at the Ocean Coral Spring Resort, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda shared a promising update for one of the world’s rarest reptiles: the endemic Jamaican iguana, a species once written off as extinct, is on track for dramatic population growth as cross-organizational conservation work continues.

    During a question-and-answer session with a delegate named Lewis from the Rotary Club of Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, Samuda outlined the remarkable trajectory of the Cyclura collei species, more commonly known as Colley’s iguana. Lewis noted that conservation teams in his home territory were running similar recovery projects for local rock iguanas, and sought insight into Jamaica’s progress.

    Once believed to have vanished completely from the island by the 1940s, the Jamaican iguana was rediscovered in the 1980s, prompting targeted recovery efforts that have steadily reversed decades of population decline. Today, official estimates place the wild population between 400 and 600 individuals, up from just a handful of individuals a generation ago. Samuda projected that with continued collaborative action, that number will surge to between 3,000 and 4,000 over the next 10 years.

    The Jamaican iguana is found nowhere else on Earth, and was historically distributed across most of Jamaica, as well as the offshore Great Goat Island and Little Goat Island. Today, the remaining wild population is almost entirely restricted to the isolated forest ecosystems of the Hellshire Hills in St Catherine, making the species one of the most vulnerable lizards on the planet.

    Samuda credited the ongoing success of the recovery program to the long-term partnership between Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the globe’s largest collaborative environmental network.

    The 7020 District conference, held under the theme “The Nexus 360° Experience,” brought together 135 delegates from seven Caribbean nations and territories: Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Montserrat. More than 30 attendees traveled from Haiti to participate in the event, which focused heavily on environmental sustainability and disaster relief across the region.

    Natasha Burnett, District Rotaract Disaster Relief and Environmental Sustainability Chair and the conference’s training team lead, told local media outlet Observer Online that local agencies went out of their way to support international attendance. “Thanks to the Ministry of National Security and Peace along with PICA (Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency) for assisting us by waiving their visa fees,” she said, removing a key barrier for delegates traveling to the event from across the Caribbean.

  • The real mangrove threat

    The real mangrove threat

    TRELAWNY, Coral Spring — When conversations turn to mangrove ecosystem decline, coastal construction and large-scale development are usually the first culprits named. But Jamaica’s top environment official is upending that common narrative, identifying unregulated illegal harvesting for charcoal production as the single greatest threat facing the island’s vital coastal mangrove forests.

    Speaking at the Rotaract District 7020 Conference held Friday at the Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Trelawny, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda emphasized that addressing root economic inequality is non-negotiable for protecting these irreplaceable ecosystems. He told attendees that the widespread degradation of Jamaica’s mangroves stems not from residential or commercial development projects, but from the daily pressure of economic hardship that drives local communities to harvest mangrove wood for fuel and charcoal.

    “The biggest issue affecting our mangroves is the illegal cutting of them to be used for firewood,” Samuda said during a question-and-answer session. “If you don’t reduce poverty, mangroves become charcoal, and that’s where we have significant degradation of our mangrove forest.”

    Samuda noted that the worst mangrove loss has been concentrated along Jamaica’s south coast, rather than the tourism-heavy north coast. Hard-hit areas include southern parishes of Clarendon, St Catherine, Manchester, and St Elizabeth — regions that once held extensive mangrove coverage, where the ecosystems serve a critical role in buffering coastal communities from dangerous storm surges during hurricane season. Beyond illegal harvesting, the minister added that poor solid waste management poses a secondary major threat: accumulated trash clogs coastal waterways, preventing the natural mixing of fresh and saltwater that mangroves require to survive and thrive.

    The conversation turned to collaborative solutions after a conference participant asked about opportunities for Rotaract clubs to partner with the government on mangrove nursery development and habitat restoration projects. Samuda warmly welcomed the involvement of service organizations, stressing that the scale of Jamaica’s environmental challenges far outstrips what government agencies can address alone, given existing fiscal and operational constraints.

    “The scale of the environmental challenges we face cannot be managed solely by the Government. Groups like Rotaract are absolutely critical stakeholders if we’re going to mobilise all of society,” he said. He pointed out that community, faith, and civil society groups often outperform government entities in mobilizing grassroots citizen participation in national environmental initiatives.

    Samuda highlighted that core maintenance tasks, such as clearing debris from water canals, regularly exceed the operational capacity of state agencies including the National Works Agency, parish councils, and the National Solid Waste Management Authority. Community-led clean-up drives and volunteer maintenance efforts fill these critical gaps, he said, and he fully supports volunteer-led projects ranging from habitat restoration to mangrove nursery establishment.

    “If there’s an investment that can be made in establishing a mangrove nursery, we would certainly welcome Rotaract as a partner,” Samuda said. “I think there’s a role for Rotaract.”

    He pointed to existing successful restoration projects across the island as models for future collaboration, including initiatives led by the Alligator Head Foundation in Portland and marine biology research and conservation programs at The University of the West Indies. Samuda also noted that Jamaica is a member of the global Mangrove Breakthrough coalition, an international partnership that directs dedicated funding to local restoration projects led by organizations including The UWI, the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (CCAM) in Clarendon, and the Alligator Head Foundation.

  • Unbuilt Projects Must Go Back for Approval, Says Hol Chan

    Unbuilt Projects Must Go Back for Approval, Says Hol Chan

    In a significant policy shift aimed at protecting Belize’s vulnerable coastal and marine ecosystems, the management of Hol Chan Marine Reserve announced Friday that it has immediately withdrawn all previously issued “letters of no objection” for unbuilt development projects within its protected boundaries. The new rule does not apply to developments already under construction that hold all valid, up-to-date regulatory permits, the agency clarified in its official notice.

    Hol Chan officials explained the reasoning behind the retraction: environmental conditions along the reserve’s coastlines and regional coastal development standards evolve over time. Approvals granted based on outdated environmental assessments from years prior no longer align with current ecological realities, particularly for projects that have remained stalled for an extended period after initial approval. Going forward, any developer seeking to restart a previously approved but unstarted development will be required to submit an entirely new application for review before any ground can be broken.

    The agency also took the opportunity to remind stakeholders of the regulatory structure for development in the protected reserve: a letter of no objection from Hol Chan is never a final construction approval. Any construction within the reserve’s boundaries requires both formal sign-off from reserve management and valid permits from other relevant government regulatory bodies before work can commence.

    This policy update comes just three weeks after Belize’s national government enacted a sweeping six-month moratorium on approving and constructing buildings over 45 feet tall or three stories in four nearby coastal communities. That moratorium does not formally extend to the territory of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, but the reserve’s new move aligns with growing calls for more cautious development in sensitive protected areas. The national Cabinet’s decision to implement the moratorium followed sustained advocacy from national and international environmental groups, which have pushed for a full pause on new development approvals in all protected areas and ecologically sensitive habitats until full, inclusive community consultations can be completed.

  • Belizean Fishers Demand Action with Release of Fisher’s Audit 2025

    Belizean Fishers Demand Action with Release of Fisher’s Audit 2025

    Even as Belize has built a reputation for robust marine conservation legislation, the nation’s small-scale fishing community is calling for immediate intervention after a groundbreaking new industry audit laid bare deep systemic flaws threatening the future of the trade.

    Published in June 2026, the 2025 Fisher’s Audit draws on direct input from working fishers across the country and evaluates the sector against 29 key performance indicators. The report identifies three core, ongoing challenges: inadequate mandatory catch reporting, chronic underfunding for fisheries management bodies, and glacial enforcement of existing conservation rules. The audit confirms that early signs of overfishing are already appearing in Belize’s coastal waters, putting thousands of livelihoods at risk.

    At the official launch of the audit, Jorge Aldana, president of the San Pedro Fisherfolk Association, outlined the growing pressures facing an industry that supports thousands of coastal households across Belize. Aldana noted that while incremental progress has been made on some fisher-led demands, the community continues to face overlapping barriers across governance, professional representation, regulatory enforcement, economic opportunity, access to public information, and meaningful participation in policy decisions that shape their work.

    “The findings of this audit simply formalize concerns that fishers have been raising for decades,” Aldana said. “Unlike past policy reports that collect dust on policymakers’ desks, all recommendations included in this audit are intentionally practical and achievable. They are not designed to target any single agency or stakeholder group. Instead, they aim to foster cross-sector collaboration between government bodies, fishing cooperatives, civil society, non-governmental organizations, and other key partners with a stake in Belize’s fishing industry. Our ultimate goal is stronger, more equitable fisheries management, improved communication between all stakeholders, and a permanent, amplified seat at the table for the people who depend on these waters for their living.”

    Beyond governance and management failures, fishers also highlighted unregulated widespread dredging operations as an immediate, growing threat to marine ecosystems. The practice, they warned, is rapidly destroying critical fish breeding grounds and foundational coastal habitats that sustain healthy fish populations for generations.

    This report comes as Belize celebrates 52 years of membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a milestone focused on advancing people-centered opportunity across the region – a framing that adds urgency to fishers’ calls to protect a core sector that supports coastal communities nationwide.